Chicken bald back

[Tadpole]

Hello,

 

I have just gone to feed my chickens and one of my silkies face has gone white on one side only.

 

she should look like this

 

 

But today she looks like this . .

 

 

 

It looks like a fungus it wont come off. It seems a bit lumpy. She dosnt seem irritated by it. I have noticed my other black silkie's legs look a bit white in places. Im not sure if this is connected.

 

The first thing I thought of is scaley mite . But the legs on this bird with the white face are fine. The bird with the legs that look like they are turning white, has perfect flat scales.

 

Any ideas please ?

 

I have 4 birds , the other 2 look unaffected .

[Tadpole]

Just had a *birdman* over. He says it is scaley mite On close inspection the little black silkies scales are lifting on her feet.

 

So I have been googling this condition. To think there are little mites burrowing into my birds is horrible. The traditional way to treat this is by trying to suffocate the mites with vasoline.

 

My boyfriend and I just speant 20 minutes massaging this into all the chickens feet and legs and the poor bird who has this on half its face looks like its had its head in a chip pan.

 

Some websites say to use a toxic spot on treatment from the vets. Some say its very dangerous and not to use it.

The scale treatment from petshops is supposed to be useless. I just dont know what to try. I have read pages about this and am none the wiser.

 

Has anyone had this, and can offer some advice ?

 

I have a broody about to hatch this week, and now need to treat the whole henhouse. Not easy when its 10ft by 8ft. What could I use to do this with ?

 

I have only had chickens 3 months and I have been so careful to keep them clean and healthy and now this

 

Sometimes I think the internet is more a hindrance than a help. To much conflicting information.

[Raina]

Sorry i don't have a clue

 

Hopefully someone should be along soon

[Egluntyne]

I would use **Xeno 200**

 

It is very effective for this condition. It is *Not licensed for use in poultry in UK, consequently, there is an egg withdrawal period of one week.

 

You can use Benzyl Benzoate on their legs. I wouldn't risk it on the face though. You might get odd looks when you ask for this at the chemist as it is used to treat scabies in humans.

[Tadpole]

Thank you I have just sent the boyfriend off to the 24hour chemist for scabies lotion

 

The difference in the chickens face after 2 doses of vaseline is incredible.

 

The legs on the little black bird look better to.

 

I have spoken to an avian vet today, he said the lice have a 30 day life span, egg to lice. So I have to totally clear the shed, Im going to try steam cleaning it first. Then a chemical louse powder.

 

He recommends Ivermectin to treat the hens, which is the same product as the xeno 200.

 

Fingers crossed all that vaseline is choking the little blighters.

[Tadpole]

Little update:

 

The Ivermectin has arrived, I have spot treated them all on the neck.

 

The supplier suggested using liquid parrafin on the bird who had a half white face. The skin is actually black again now, but I will keep applying it till im sure the mites are gone.

I dripped some in my eye and it didnt sting, so I have painted her little face with it, (using a very expensive makeup brush). It leaves an oily residue and smells of nothing, and I presume works in the same way as the vaseline.

 

I havnt used the scabies lotion as I dont know if it will mix with the Ivermectin which is a topical treatment as well. (Im sure it will come in handy for something..)

 

This Ivermectin apparantly kills all things inside and out including worms.

 

My little silkies and I are looking a bit greasy .

I have been painting their legs in surgical spirit and then smothering them in vaseline.

They are now sitting on my lap and letting me do this, which is amazing really.

They must know I am trying to help.

 

3 days till the chicks are due Then I can blitz the loft. Im not counting my chickens before they hatch but it looks like I have 4 good ones, one looks stuck to the shell and one looks unfertile. I have no clue really but its all very exciting My first chicks